Taumata-o-nga-kuku

Taumata-o-nga-kuku is the original name for a street in Moerewa. We were told by one of our kaumatua that a long time ago pigeons use to flock to this area for food. Taumata is the Maori word for orators bench and kuku is the maori word for pigeons.

There were miro trees growing in the bush opposite to the settlement in Morewa and the pigeons use to feed off them. After they had filled themselves they would fly and roost on the branches of the 3 big Rimu trees that grew opposite the bus shelter, preeing themselves. So the Maori elders called the place Taumata-o-nga-kuku - where the pigeons roosted.